Mock draft watch: Lamar Jackson and a lot of big-school help to Browns

Tired of seeing Josh Rosen or Sam Darnold being projected to the Cleveland Browns in mock drafts? Our brother site Draft Wire has the solution for you!

In its latest 4-round mock draft, Draft Wire deviates from the norm and brings several new names into the picture. Chief among them is Louisville quarterback Lamar Jackson with the No. 1 overall pick. Editor Luke Easterling lays out the case:

I’ll be shocked if the Browns have the same decision-makers in place, let alone DeShone Kizer as their quarterback of choice in 2018. Every passer in this year’s deep class has his flaws, but Jackson has just as much upside as a passer as any one of them, and his explosiveness sets him apart.

Next up is Georgia linebacker Roquan Smith, an off-ball attack dog. He’s a great player and very high-end prospect, but in Cleveland, Smith is fairly redundant with Christian Kirksey. The team’s massive investment in Jamie Collins and the relatively strong play of Joe Schobert and James Burgess leaves linebacker as arguably the last position where the Browns need first-round help.

The rest of the Cleveland selections, which includes the acquired picks from Houston and Philadelphia in the second and Carolina in the fourth, but does not factor in compensatory picks. The choices here all hail from Power 5 conference schools and hit on draft value and needs.

Second round

Calvin Ridley, WR, Alabama

Isaiah Oliver, CB, Colorado

Damien Harris, RB, Alabama

Third round

Dre’Mont Jones, DT, Ohio State

Fourth round

Equanimeous St. Brown, WR, Notre Dame

Quin Blanding, S, Virginia

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